Exclusive: PGMOL insider reacts to Victor Wanyama’s Dunfermline debut disaster
Victor Wanyama can have no complaints after being sent off on his Dunfermline Athletic debut, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA exclusively told Football Insider the midfielder clearly denied a goalscoring opportunity after handling the ball shortly after coming on as a substitute for his new club.
Former Tottenham and Celtic midfielder Wanyama attracted plenty of attention last week when he joined Scottish Championship side Dunfermline on a deal until the end of the season.
In doing so, the Kenyan international reunited with his former Bhoys manager, Neil Lennon, who had taken charge at East End Park only days earlier.
However, the pair endured the worst possible start to their time with their new club on Saturday (29 March), in a game neither will want to remember.
Victor Wanyama sent off as debut ends in worst possible way
Over the weekend, Lennon took charge of his first Dunfermline game as they travelled to Ayr United, who are managed by Scott Brown, who also previously captained under Lennon and alongside Wanyama at Celtic.
In the end though it was Ayr who comfortably came out on top, having taken a 1-0 lead into half time, before Wanyama was introduced with 64 minutes on the clock.
Just four minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage, and with six minutes of normal time remaining Dunfermline were reduced to ten men.
Aftter receiving the ball just outside his own penalty area, Wanyama lost his footing and slipped to the ground.
| Scottish Championship position | Played | Points |
| 8. Hamilton Academical | 31 | 29 |
| 9. Dunfermline Athletic | 30 | 27 |
| 10. Airdrieonians | 30 | 21 |
As he did so, the midfielder threw out a hand to push the ball away from an onrushing Ayr attacker, leading to the 33-year-old being shown a straight red card.
Ayr would then make it 3-0 in stoppage time, to deal a further blow to Dunfermline as they attempt to avoid relegation from the Scottish Championship.
Now, Hackett insists that the decision to send Wanyama off in that game was very much the right one.
Dunfermline Athletic red card caps a damaging day
After being asked by Football Insider if Wanyama could have any complaints about his sending off, the former referee said:
“No, absolutely not! He’s handled outside the area… If he hadn’t handled the ball, the player would have had a shot on goal: red card, denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
“Welcome to the Scottish leagues! One to forget for him!”
With Wanyama suspended, Dunfermline face another big game in their fight to avoid relegation on Saturday (5 April), as they host Hamilton Academical.